VITA Network – Blog Guidelines
If you have something to share about human trafficking, exploitation and health– we want to hear from you! To support you with your blog writing please find our guidance below. You may contact us at info@vitafoundation.org if you have any questions. Thank you for considering a blog submission to VITA Network!
Blog Theme
VITA Network blogs must have a connection to human trafficking, exploitation and whole-person health. This is a broad theme with many possible options and angles. We welcome a diversity of views on this topic.
Your Voice
We welcome diverse perspectives, views and voices. Anyone who cares about human trafficking, exploitation and health is welcome to submit, including experts by lived experience (survivors), students, community members, professionals and academics in different disciplines.
Please write your blog so that a diverse audience can understand it too. Please avoid or explain any medical or anti-trafficking jargon and acronyms. Please also explain any other words readers may not understand, including street slang related to modern slavery, human trafficking, exploitation, illegal drugs and criminal activity.
We want to be able to publish your blog with you as the named author. If you feel your blog should be anonymous, please contact us before submission to discuss this.
The Tone and Content of Your Blog
VITA Network is fully aware that the connections between the human trafficking response, policy and politics can at times be very tense. We work to be a constructive and solutions-focused voice in this space.
We ask that our blog space is focused on sharing views, educating each other and being solution-minded. We know that some blogs will need to be uncomfortable reading. However, we will reject blogs that are overtly political, aggressive, derogatory or defamatory in tone. We will also reject blogs that are discriminatory or prejudiced against any people group, including blogs that promote unhelpful stereotypes.
Personal Story-Telling and Confidentiality
Personal stories can be a really effective way to teach and share thoughts and ideas. Storytelling must be done sensitively. You should aim to tell your side of the story, from your perspective. Other people’s views and the experience of the survivor (if this is not you) are their stories to tell.
No details that identify people in your personal story or case (apart from yourself) can be present. This includes names and other details that make it easy for readers to guess the place and time of the events in the story. Please do not share your personal story if you are waiting to speak about the same issue in any type of immigration, legal or court setting where your case could be harmed. We will also ask blog writers to adjust their writing if it contains a high level of trauma detail, or if we believe the blog content puts the writer (or anyone else) at risk of harm now or in the future. Any photographs you want to include with your blog must also meet these criteria.
Word Count for Your Blog
Please aim for a word count of 500-700 to make your blog easy to read.
Acceptance of Your Blog
The right to accept, reject, suggest changes to your blog or remove a posted blog lies fully with the VITA Network Advisory Council. We also hold the right to modify blog guidelines at any stage. We will do our best to communicate well with you about your blog.
You may also contact us if you wish your published blog to be taken down from our website, although we cannot be responsible for any other spaces it may have been shared to.
In welcoming a diversity of writers and views we recognise that individual blogs may not align with the personal views of all VITA Network members. Your blog will be published under your name, as a personal view, and not as a view of VITA Network as an organisation.
Any Questions?
If you have any further questions, please contact us at info@vitafoundation.org.